In 2009, as in previous years, ENSI rated the operation of the Swiss nuclear facilities as safe. Nevertheless, it was not an optimal year for nuclear safety. After systematic safety reviews at the Leibstadt and Mühleberg nuclear power plants, ENSI awarded both facilities a «good» rating.

On January 1st 2009, HSK became ENSI, the Swiss Federal Nuclear Safety Inspectorate and at the same time the new body became independent of the Swiss Federal Office of Energy. However, the remit of the new regulatory body remains unchanged.

Research into regulatory safety. In terms of research into regulatory safety, ENSI awards and coordinates research projects designed to identify and develop current scientific knowledge and expertise and to make the results available to the regulatory process.

HSK became ENSI (Swiss Federal Nuclear Safety Inspectorate) on 1 January 2009 giving formal independence to nuclear regulation in Switzerland.

Developments in the technical and legal basis of nuclear oversight. In terms of its regulatory safety research, ENSI awards and coordinates research projects designed to identify and develop scientific knowledge and expertise that can be made available to the regulatory process.

2008 was a very special year for HSK – in fact it was its last. On 1 January 2009, HSK became ENSI, the Swiss Federal Nuclear Safety Inspectorate.

2007 saw major changes to energy policy in Switzerland – a new national energy strategy, the new Federal Electricity Supply Act, the concept for a Master Plan for a deep geological repository and new legislation governing ENSI, the Swiss Federal Nuclear Safety Inspectorate, all of which will impact on the work of the Inspectorate.

Developments in the technical and legal basis of nuclear oversight. Within its program of regulatory safety research, the Inspectorate HSK awards and coordinates research projects designed to identify and develop scientific knowledge and expertise that can be made available to the regulatory process.

This Surveillance Report is a part of a comprehensive system of reporting by the Inspectorate. In addition to this report, the Inspectorate publishes a separate Radiological Protection Report, a Research and Experience Report and a Management Report.